Multifunctional thermal installation

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional thermal installation that includes a compressor, a switch valve, an evaporator, a condenser, a water heater, and an expansion valve is provided. The water heater has a water inlet that is connected to an underground well. Each of the evaporator and condenser includes at least a group of heat exchangers. The first group of heat exchangers is disposed in the water heater and the second group of heat exchangers and a fan associated with the second group of heat exchangers are disposed in a room.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.10/038,034, filed on Jan. 2, 2002, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN00/00172, which has an internationalfiling date of Jun. 23, 2000, and which was not published in Englishunder PCT Article 21(2). The disclosures of these applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a multifunctional thermalinstallation used to improve living conditions. The householdmultifunctional thermal installation is a multifunctional integratedsystem of air conditioning, heating, living hot water, and energystorage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The speed of economic development in the twentieth century hasreached an unprecedented level. Although living conditions areimproving, high-speed development can bring about adverse social effectsthat may be neglected by people until risks posed to the environment canhardly be recovered. No doubt exits that the twenty-first century willbring about even more developments thus generally improving the livingconditions of people in the developing countries. However, one must notethat improving the living conditions for people may come at a high costto the environment. For instance, natural resources are being consumedto the extent that recovery may require the involvement of theinternational treaties within a limited period of time. Since thedeveloping countries are more populated than the developed countries,improvement of the living conditions in the developing countriesaccording to the present model raises the issue whether the desiredstandard of living can ever be reached in the developing countries. Infact, the environmental problem in China has been placed on the agenda.

[0004] In some of the developing countries, most of the householdinstallations use stand-alone systems, such as air conditioning,heating, and living hot water. Typically, such installations run on theconsumption of non-renewable resources.

[0005] From a developmental point of view, the energy consumption forthe household installations will increase as the standard of livingrises. However, if every one of the household installations runs on theconsumption of non-renewable resources, the household installations candirectly or indirectly produce waste materials. Additionally, thehousehold installations are used in a large quantity and can be found ina wide distribution area. Thus, the resulting environmental influencecannot be neglected. It must be noted that the demand for energy sourcesfor the household installations can be low (i.e. the temperaturedifference between them is generally 20-30° C.).

[0006] Most of the non-renewable energy sources, however, can bereplaced by renewable energy sources. For example, the installationsthat directly require large amounts of energy sources in ordinary lifeinclude air-conditioners, living hot water supply equipments, andheating equipments, while air-ventilators may require indirect energydemand. However, such requirements can increase in the future. From thepoint of view of social resources that are individually occupied, theconsumption model may not be developed sustainably. Accordingly, newenergy sources must be found to cover the shortage of the non-renewableenergy sources.

[0007] At present, such household installations as aforementionedair-conditioners, heating equipments, and living hot water supplyequipments use the system of central production and supply in developedcountries. That is, such household installations run on the consumptionof non-renewable resources. Therefore, the amount of non-renewableresources consumed by the developed countries is much larger than thatconsumed by the developing countries. In the same manner, so is the harminflicted to the environment as well as the waste of the non-renewableresources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a multifunctional thermalinstallation used to improve living conditions on the basis of theconcept of sustainable development and ecological equilibrium. If theseparate installations are made into an integrated system called amultifunctional system, a small amount of non-renewable energy sourcecan be used and most of the energy sources can be replaced by therenewable energy sources collected from the multifunctional system. Inthis manner, the pollution created by the consumption of energy sourcescan be reduced effectively while large amounts of non-renewable energysources can be saved and recovered.

[0009] The multifunctional thermal installation of the present inventionincludes a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansionvalve. The evaporator and the condenser each include at least a group ofheat exchangers. A switch valve is provided at the end of the outlet ofthe compressor. The first group of heat exchangers is disposed within awater heater, while the second group of heat exchangers together withassociated fans is disposed inside a room. The inlet of the water heateris connected to an underground well.

[0010] The switch valve at the outlet of the compressor of the presentinvention is connected to the heat exchanger inside the room to form aheat supply circulating device. However, the switch valve can also turnto the heat exchanger disposed in the water heater to form arefrigerating circulating device. The water heater can be an enclosedwater tank with a hot water outlet and the compressor can be disposedinside the water heater. The water inlet of the water heater can beconnected to an underground well through a pump.

[0011] In one embodiment, the operational principle of themultifunctional thermal installation is as follows: The multifunctionalcold/hot air blower includes a fan and an evaporating/condensing heatexchanger included in ordinary cold/hot air blowers. Furthermore, thestructure of the multifunctional water heater is substantially the sameas that of ordinary multifunctional water heaters. The compressorcondensing process is used in the refrigeration process and the reversecycle of the process is used in supplying heat to the multifunctionalcold/hot air blower. As the operational principles of the foregoing heatsupply devices are well known to one having ordinary skill in the art,no additional description of the operational principles of the heatsupply shall be made herein. The combined installation is amultifunctional integration of a multifunctional blower, a compressor,and a multifunctional water heater. The multifunctional integrationconsumes about 10-20% of the absolute value of the total non-renewableenergy resources of the system. Other energy resources needed by themultifunctional integration come from alternate energy resources. Theintegrated system is called a “multifunctional system.”

[0012] When the integrated multifunctional system is in therefrigeration state, the refrigerating energy of the cold air blowercomes from the water heater, wherein the heating energy of the waterheater comes from the cold air blower. The residual thermal energy ofthe water heater is outputted and stored in the underground well for useas the primary thermal energy for heating in winter.

[0013] When the integrated multifunction system is in the heating state,the thermal energy of the hot air blower is supplied by the energystored in the underground well in seasons that do not need heating.Meanwhile, the cold water from which the thermal energy has beenabsorbed by the hot air blower is stored in the underground well forfuture use, as the refrigeration source in summer.

[0014] The multifunctional thermal installation is an integrated accretebody wherein the cold/hot air blower and the multifunctional waterheater constitute a common thermal circulation capable of compensatingeach other, thus providing a compact structure.

[0015] Although the thermodynamic process of the multifunctional thermalinstallation can still use the circulating process of conventionalcompressors, the level of work required of the multifunctional thermalinstallation can be much lower than that of conventionalair-conditioners. For instance, because the thermodynamic processesresulting from two functions are combined into one, the seasonalenergy-efficiency ratio (SEER) can reach 10 or greater which can be morethan two times that of conventional air-conditioners.

[0016] For example, the condensing temperature of approximately 40° C.and evaporating temperature of approximately 5° C. is used inconventional air-conditioners with R22 as a work medium, while theevaporating temperature used in the multifunctional thermal installationcan be more than 12° C. and the condensing temperature can be about 20°C. or even lower.

[0017] From the users' point of view, the multifunctional thermalinstallations of the present invention occupy less space and are moreconvenient because air-conditioners are cold/hot air blowers without anyoutdoor equipments and boilers are used to supply living hot water intoan enclosed container. In one embodiment, replacing separate householdthermal installations with multifunctional thermal installations canreduce more than half of the energy consumption per capita in developedcountries.

[0018] Furthermore, since the efficiency of the industrial installationsin developed countries has reached a high level, reducing the emissionindex of the greenhouse gases may be difficult while civil installationsare potential. In one embodiment, replacing separate installations withmultifunctional thermal installations of the present invention couldefficiently reduce the emission index of the greenhouse gases indeveloped countries. Although, in one example, the cost/performanceratio of the multifunctional installation can be higher than that of thetop-grade household appliances, promoting multifunctional thermalinstallations in developing countries can be advantageous. For instance,by using the one-step model, taking the road back using the developmentmodel of the developed countries may be avoided. Since nearly 100million sets of household appliances are needed in developing countriesevery year, the promotion of multifunctional thermal installations inthe developing countries can constitute a large-scale project ofrecovery of global warming. If conventional household appliances arestill used, the greenhouse gases can increase at an order of magnitudeof 100 million tons per year.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment according tothe present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is amultifunctional thermal installation mainly including a compressor 1, anevaporator (or condenser) 3, a condenser (or evaporator) 6, an expansionvalve 5, a switch valve 2, first and second group of heat exchangers 31and 61, and a fan 33. A switch valve 2 is provided at the outlet of thecompressor 1 of the present invention. In one embodiment, modifying thestate of the switch valve 2 can result in creating the refrigerationsystem or the heating system. The evaporator and the condenser includefirst and second group of heat exchangers. As can be seen, one group ofthe heat exchangers 61 is disposed in a water heater 7 and the othergroup of the heat exchangers 31, together, with corresponding fans 33are disposed inside a room 32. A water inlet of the water heater 7 isconnected to a well 8.

[0022] The operational principle of the present invention is as follows:When refrigeration is needed, the water heater 7 collects water having atemperature of approximately 12-16° C. from the underground well 8. Theswitch valve 2 is located at the end of the outlet of the compressor 1is connected to the heat exchanger 61, which is situated inside thewater heater 7. After being compressed by the compressor 1, the cryogenis changed into high-temperature saturated gas having a temperature ofmore than 65° C. The temperature of the cryogen is then lowered by theheat exchanger 61 after exchanging heat with the low-temperature waterin the water heater 7. The condensed cryogen then enters the heatexchanger 31 disposed inside the room 32 to absorb a large amount ofheat and be evaporated after being expanded by the expansion valve 5. Atthis point, the refrigeration process is finished. During therefrigeration process, the heat exchanger 61 functions as a condenserwhile the heat exchanger 31 functions as an evaporator, thus forming acold air blower. During the heat exchange process, the temperature ofthe low-temperature water situated in the water heater 7 can be changedinto hot water having a temperature of 62° C., providing hot water to beused, directly. Therefore, in one embodiment, refrigerating energy ofthe cold air blower comes from the water heater 7 and the thermal energyof the water heater 7 comes from the cold air blower. The residualthermal energy of the water heater 7 can be stored in the undergroundwell 8 for use as the primary thermal energy for heating in winter.

[0023] Alternatively, the present invention can perform a heatingprocess as shown in FIG. 2. The water heater 7 collects warm waterhaving a temperature of about 16-30° C. from the underground well 8. Inone example, the water in the well has been heated by the heat stored inthe well during the summer. As shown, the switch valve 2 located at theend of the outlet of the compressor 1 is connected to the heat exchanger61 disposed inside the water heater 7. The cryogen changes state into ahigh-temperature gas with a temperature of more than 55° C. The cryogensupplies heat after the cryogen has been compressed by the compressor 1and condensed by the heat exchanger 31. At this point, the heatingprocess is finished. The condensed cryogen enters the heat exchanger 61disposed inside the room 32 to absorb heat and to be evaporatedsubsequent to being expanded by the expansion valve 5. During theheating process, the heat exchanger 31 functions as a condenser whilethe heat exchanger 61 functions as an evaporator, thus forming a heatingdevice. During the heat exchange process, the high-temperature waterdisposed in the water heater 7 can be changed into cold water having atemperature of approximately 1-2° C. The cold water can then be used torefill the underground well 8 for use as the primary refrigeratingenergy in summer. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention,the heating energy of the hot air blower mainly comes from the energystored in the underground well 8 during the warmer seasons. Thus, thewater from which the thermal energy has been absorbed by the hot airblower can be stored in the underground well 8 for use as therefrigerating energy during summer.

[0024] In summary, the combined installation of the present invention isan integrated accrete body wherein the cold/hot air blower and themultifunctional water heater constitute a common thermodynamiccirculation by compensating each other. As a consequence, themultifunction thermal installation of the present invention is compactin structure. Since the thermodynamic processes of two functions arecombined into one, the work condition of the multifunctional thermalinstallation is much lower than that of conventional air-conditioners,i.e., the seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) can reach 10 orgreater, which is more than two times of that of conventionalair-conditioners.

[0025] Embodiment 1:

[0026] The structure shown in FIG. 1 is the first embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the water heater 7 is an enclosedwater container having a water inlet 71 that is connected to theunderground well 8. Low-temperature water having a temperature of about8-16° C. is pumped into the enclosed water heater 7 by a pump P. In oneexample, the compressor 1 can be disposed in the water heater 7. Theswitch valve 2 located at the end of an outlet of the compressor 1 isconnected to the heat exchanger 61, which is disposed inside the waterheater 7. After being compressed, the cryogen is changed into a gas workmedium with the temperature as high as 65° C. The high-temperature gaswork medium can lower the temperature efficiently after exchanging heatwith the low-temperature water in the water heater 7 through heatexchanger 61. In one example, the temperature of the cryogen can be aslow as −4° C. After being expanded through the expansion valve 5, thetemperature of the cryogen can be lowered to −15° C. At this point, thecryogen enters the heat exchanger 31 disposed inside the room 32 toabsorb the heat and be evaporated in the room 32 so as to finish therefrigerating process. In the circulation of the present embodiment, theheat exchanger 61 disposed in the hot water heater 7 functions as acondenser and the heat exchanger 31 disposed in the room 32 functions asan evaporator. During the condensation process, the low-temperaturewater disposed in the water heater can be heated without using anynon-renewable energy sources, since the cryogen can give out a largeamount of heat. Thus, the water disposed in the water heater 7 can havea temperature of approximately 62° C. and can flow out through the hotwater outlet 72 disposed on the water heater 7 for use by the users. Theresidual hot water can be stored in the underground well 8 for use asthe primary thermal energy for heating during winter.

[0027] Embodiment 2:

[0028]FIG. 2 shows the second embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the water heater 7 is an enclosed water containerhaving a water inlet 71 that is connected to an underground well 8. Warmwater having a temperature of approximately 16-30° C. that was stored inthe underground well 8 during summer is pumped by the pump P into thewater heater 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the compressor 1 isdisposed inside the water heater 7. The switch valve 2 located at theend of the output of the compressor 1 is connected to the heat exchanger31 disposed in the room 32. After being compressed, the cryogen ischanged into a gas work medium having a temperature of about 55° C.Then, cryogen in the from of gas work medium exchanges heat with thelow-temperature air in the room 32 through the heat exchanger 31, thusforming a hot air blower. In one example, the temperature of the airoutlet of the hot air blower can reach to approximately 55° C., thusheating the room 32. After being expanded in the expansion valve 5, thecryogen which temperature has been lowered to approximately −15° C. canenter the heat exchanger 61 to absorb heat and be evaporated. Thus, thewater in the water heater 7 is changed into low-temperature water havinga temperature of about 1-2° C. and is stored in the underground well 8for use as the primary refrigerating energy in summer. In thecirculation of the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 61 disposedinside the water heater 7 functions as an evaporator and the heatexchanger disposed in the room 32 functions as a condenser.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunctional thermal installation,comprising: a compressor having an inlet and an outlet; a switch valvecoupled to the outlet of the compressor; an evaporator; a condenser; awater heater having a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet ofthe water heater being connected to an underground well; and anexpansion valve, wherein the evaporator and the condenser each includesat least a group of heat exchangers, a first group of heat exchangersbeing disposed in the water heater and a second group of heat exchangersbeing disposed in a room, the second group of heat exchangers havingfans associated therewith, wherein when the room is being cooled, atemperature of water in the water heater increases and, when the room isbeing heated, the temperature of water in the water heater decreases. 2.A multifunctional thermal installation as described in claim 1, whereinthe switch valve coupled to the outlet of the compressor is connected tothe second group of heat exchangers disposed in the room to form aheating circulation system.
 3. A multifunctional thermal installation asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the switch valve coupled to the outlet ofthe compressor is connected to the first group of heat exchangersdisposed in the water heater to form a refrigeration circulation device.4. A multifunctional thermal installation as described in claim 1,wherein the water heater is an enclosed water container, and the wateroutlet is a hot water outlet.
 5. A multifunctional thermal installationas described in claim 1, wherein the compressor is disposed in the-waterheater.
 6. A multifunctional thermal installation as described in claim1, wherein the water inlet of the water heater is connected to theunderground well by a pump.
 7. A system for heating and cooling a room,the system comprising: a compressor having an inlet and an outlet; aswitch valve coupled to the outlet of the compressor; an evaporator; acondenser; a water heater having a water inlet and a water outlet, thewater inlet of the water heater being connected to an underground well;and an expansion valve, wherein the evaporator and the condenser eachincludes at least a group of heat exchangers, a first group of heatexchangers being disposed in the water heater and a second group of heatexchangers being disposed in a room, the second group of heat exchangershaving fans associated therewith, wherein the system is configured tosupply heat to the room when the switch valve is connected to the secondgroup of heat exchangers disposed in the room, and the system isconfigured to extract heat from the room when the switch valve isconnected to the first group of heat exchangers.
 8. A system as recitedin claim 7, wherein the compressor is disposed in the water heater.
 9. Asystem as recited in claim 7, wherein the water inlet of the waterheater is connected to the underground well by a pump.
 10. Arefrigeration and heating system, comprising: an evaporator including atleast a group of heat exchangers; a condenser including at least a groupof heat exchangers; a water heater having a water inlet and a wateroutlet, the water inlet of the water heater being connected to anunderground well; a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, thecompressor being disposed in the water heater; a switch valve coupled tothe outlet of the compressor; and an expansion valve, wherein a firstgroup of heat exchangers is disposed in the water heater and a secondgroup of heat exchangers is disposed in a room, the second group of heatexchangers being disposed in the room having associated fans therewith.11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the switch valve coupled tothe outlet of the compressor is connected to the second group of heatexchangers disposed in the room to form a heating circulation system.12. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the switch valve coupled tothe outlet of the compressor is connected to the first group of heatexchangers disposed in the water heater to form a refrigerationcirculation device.